Who is in charge?
I can get so bogged down sometimes with the day-to-day that I forget that that I’m the one in charge. I’m the one who dictates my time. I’m the one who decides where my energy is spent. I’m the one who makes my calendar. Not the other way around.
There is always something to do, which is why it is vital for me to prioritize my tasks in a way that maximizes my productivity and keeps me on top of the important tasks so that they don’t pile up and begin to weigh me down.
There are two strategies I frequently use to keep my business workload in check: Batching and Parkinson’s Law.
Batching my tasks allows me to knock out a bunch of similar tasks at one time so that I am not breaking my concentration and going back and forth with my focus. In fact, one of my favorite things to do is to put music on and dive head-first into spreadsheets. The result is a happier, more productive workday.
Parkinson’s Law dictates that “a task will swell in (perceived) importance and complexity in relation to the time allotted for completion.” Often times, when you are down to the wire and must finish a project in a short period of time, you step up to the plate with a focus and intensity that results in a better output.
Constant prioritizing and finding new ways to increase productivity is essential to maintaining control of your workload so that it doesn’t rule your life.